Stumped in class: Town of Newmarket makes unusual donation to Pickering College

The town was able to help the local private school in its quest to furnish additional space for outdoor learning

Newmarkettoday.ca
Dec. 21, 2020
Alan S. Hale

With indoor class space at a premium because of the need for physical distancing, the head of Pickering College in Newmarket, Peter Sturrup, said it's more important than ever to find ways to get outside as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A unusual donation from the Town of Newmarket has made a big difference for outdoor learning opportunities for the college's kindergarten students, said Sturrup.

The municipality donated 48 tree stumps to the private school on Bayview Avenue, which its young students have been using as place to sit, or climb, or work while outside.

"We have outdoor classrooms, and when we knew that we had to be adjusting our classrooms in September, a couple of our teachers went around the property looking for more spaces for outdoor learning," said Sturrup.

"We had enough space, but we needed materials, so (we) put out a call for stumps internally at first. But then we reached out to the town to ask if they had any stumps, and they said 'do we ever.'"

The town delivered the cut wood to the school last fall, and students have been using them ever since.

"They've been a big hit with the kids," Sturrup said. "They can sit on them for outdoor lessons and also use them for games and other activities."

Sturrup said that the maximum class size of 15 pupils has forced the school to convert its gymnasium into four classrooms. Other spaces, such as the student lounge and meeting rooms, have also been turned into classrooms.

"We are always talking about getting through this pandemic together, and this is a good example. A little generosity on the part of the town and initiative by town staff made a big difference to us."